Mary l



(No Model.)

M. L. GEPPS.

' CORSET.

No. 390,771. Patented Oct 9, 1888.

@hSQ WQ Z I lli'rn ra'rns TEN FICED MARY L. GEFFS, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO F. G. GASSIDY, OF SAME PLACE.

CORSET.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 390,771, dated Qctober 9, 1888.

Application filed June 6, I887. Serial No. 240.436. (No model.)

.To (155 whom it may concern/.-

Be it known that I, MARY L. GEFFS, of Oinciunati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvcment in Corsets, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification and accompanying drawings, in which- Figure I is a perspective view of the front of my improved corset. Fig. II is a rear view of the same; and Fig. III, a side view of the corset opened out, so as to show the relation of all the parts.

The object of my invention is to make a corset capable of being adjusted in all its parts, and which is so constructed that it serves as a shoulderbrace, abdominal supporter, and skirt-holder, the details of which will now be set forth by reference to the accompanying drawings.

A represents the rear portion of the corset, which is preferably composed of three parts, B O O, the central part, B, of which is preferably more than half the length of the two side wings, O O. The central part extends down only to the horizontal band E at the waist, and is broader across its upper surface than at the band E. The upper ends of the side wings, O O, are also broader than at the band E, the part below the band or waist being the same width, preferably, as at the waist. These two outer parts, 0 C, may be made of different material from the central part, B, or the goods used may be more rigid; but in all cases I prefer to have the entire back portion braced, corded, and stitched, as shown, so as to give some rigidity to the back part of the corset.

The band E may be made of any kind of stilf material, preferably of a curved projecting whalebone, so as to hold the form of the corset. At the same time it should be constructed of material which is flexible and will not give uneasiness to the wearer. It is placed on the outside of the corset, and may or may not be provided with hooks or buttons to which the band of the skirts may be attached. The inner edges of the side wings, C 0, below the band E, are provided with eyelets F to receive the lacing-cord G,in order to enable the wearer to adjust the lower half of the corset to fit the body. As will be noticed, the entire back A is corded and stitched vertically.

The front of the corset is composed of two vertical parts on each side, the intermediate part or strip, H, being corded and stitched horizontally. This strip is practically of even width throughout its entire length, with aslight inner curve at the waist and narrowed at the lower end. The front strip, I, is secured directly to this strip H. The front edge, J, is provided with a stiffeniug'brace on which the fastening eyes and hooks are placed. The upper and lower ends of the strip I are broader than the central part, and the lower end has a long projecting or V-shaped end, I, and a strip, K, or other fastening device attached to the lower end.

The extension-points I are designed to pass around the abdomen of the wearer, and the strap K can be used to adjust the corset for comfort. Below the band E the strips 0 H are united to each other by means of two or more straps or buckles, D; but above the band they are united by means of eyelets and lacing-cords D. The object of this is to make a direct and rigid connection between the lower ends of the rear strips, 0, and the extension I through the intervening part or strip H, whereas if the lacing extended entirely down the abdomen support I would have a tendency to cause the lower ends of the strip 0 H to separate, and correspondingly draw together the space between the upper ends of these strips.

On the upper end of the corset, at the intersection of the parts A O, a shoulder-strap, M, is securely fastened. This strap has at the end a series of holes, N, and when in use is designed to first pass over the shoulder, and

is then brought back under the arm and fast- 0 ened to a button, 0, located on the strap M near its base. The strap M is further provided with a series of buttons, I, along that side of its course which is in front of the arm,

Each side of the corset is similarly equipped, and a horizontal strap, R, extends from one strap M to the other across the back, which strap B has a series of holes at one or both ends to enable it to be attached to the buttons or hooks 0.

It will be especially not-iced that while the piece K on the lower end of one of the front strips, I, and the series of buttons 1* on the lower end of the other strip provide for alimited adjustment, the lower straps and buckles, D, on the sides of the corset and the rear lacingcords, G, are more efficient and capable of greater adj ustability.

A. corset constructed in this manner has many advantages over the corsets now in use, among which may be mentioned the following: The skirts are usually suspended from the corset; but as in corsets as heretofore made no provision has been made for holding the bands of the skirts, their weight was sustained by pressure on the lower bulging portion of the corset. \Vhen such is the case, the skirt-band has to be fastened tightly around the waist, and then the downward pressure, owing to the weight of the skirt, would necessarily produce a pressure on the abdomen, which is very in jurious. Further than this, in cases where corsets have been made with straps for the shoulders no provision was made to relieve the abdominal regions from the dragging p ressure caused by the hang of the corset and the weight of the shirts. \Vherc the front of the eorsetis laced, itfrequentlyhappens that there is considerable space between the front wings, I, and thus no rigid support is afforded to the lower part of the abdomen.

In this invention it will be observed that the band E, to which the skirt-bands are attached, extends only across the back portions of the corset, and the entire weight of the gar ment is therefore suspended by the back portions of the corset. In addition to this, the

shonlderstraps M, being attached to the rear portions ofthe corset, have a tendency to draw back the shoulders instead of causing the front sections of the corset to draw downwardly on the shoulder-straps, the straps Q being at tached merely for the purpose of holding the strap M in place, and to lend what slight aid may be necessary in keeping the upper end of the front or bust portion of the corset in place. and to prevent any tendency on the part of the front sections to move downwardly and press on the abdomen. It will also be ob served that the back-lacing, while giving all necessary support to the spine, does not overheat and thus derange the delicate organs over which it passes, as would be the case if the back were solid.

hat I claim as new is- 1. A corset having the rear part thereof constructed of three portions, the central one of which terminates at the waist, and the side wings or sections of which extend below the waist, having lacingcords between them, in combination with two front wings or sections attached to said rear sections by means of straps below the waist and by lacing-cords above the waist, substantially as herein set forth.

2. A corset havinga rear portion, the upper half or part consisting of the sides 0 O and the central part, B, which latter extends one half the length of the said sides, the lower half of the rear portion divided and provided with lacing-cords, and also having at the waist a horizontally-disposed band, in combination with the front portions provided with downwardly-projecting abdominal portions, said front sections being attached to the rear section, substantially as herein set forth.

3. A corset havingits rear part constructed of three portions, the central one terminating at the waist, and the side sections ext-ending below the waist, having lacing-cords between them, combined with two front sections attached to said rear sections by straps below and lacingcords above the waist, and the shoulder-straps M, attached to the upper end of the rear part and connected together and to the front sections by straps, as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing l have hereunto set my hand, this 5th day of May, 1887, in the presence of witnesses.

lllAl tY I}. GEFFS.

\Vitnesses:

Rornn'r RA user, Rom". S. .h'lILLAR. 

